In a room on fire, the match starts on a very high tempo. But it is the Warriors, much more lucid, who are ahead of a short head (12-8). Sacramento is suffocated by the Golden State defense, and can’t find an easy basket. In the first quarter, Mike Brown’s men only shot 8/21 including 1/13 (7.7%) from 3-pointers. However, opposite, the Warriors fail to punish clumsy Kings, and only lead by six points after 12 minutes (23-17).
Under the impetus of Malik Monk, Sacramento began the second quarter with a 13-4, and even took control of the score (30-27). The Warriors foil, and opposite the Kings no longer miss a shot. We are witnessing the same scenario as during the first quarter, but this time, it is Steve Kerr’s players who no longer fit anything. On a loss of ball Draymond Green, Davion Mitchell offers 9 points ahead of his (40-31). Despite a reaction at the end of the quarter from Golden State, Sacramento retains a six-point lead at the break (58-52).
The Warriors get into trouble at the start of the third quarter, with Draymond Green picking up his 4th foul. In the process, Kevon Looney takes his 5th foul, further complicating Golden State’s affairs. In the game, it’s not better, Stephen Curry’s teammates can’t find solutions. Opposite, the Kings continue to take advantage of their opponent’s defensive largesse, and make the break by taking a thirteen-point lead (77-64). At the start of the 4th quarter, Sacramento leads by eight points (83-75).
A dramatic turn in the middle of the 4th quarter with the expulsion of Draymond Green, guilty of a nasty gesture on Domantas Sabonis. As sometimes happens, the momentum returns to the side of the Warriors. On a 3-point shot, Gary Payton II equalizes (93-93). 3 minutes from the end, the Kings have a one-point lead (102-101). On a huge 3-point basket, De’Aaron Fox gives Sacramento a six-point lead (107-101), then it’s Davion Mitchell, in the corner, who defeats the Warriors in turn behind the arc ( 112-103). Sacramento wins Game 2 (114-106), and achieves the break in the series.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The expulsion of Draymond Green. He had been tense for a while, following a foul problem. But then, in the fourth quarter, he totally exceeded the limits. After a rebound battle with Klay Thompson, Domantas Sabonis collapses to the ground, seemingly grabbing Draymond Green’s leg. The latter, wanting to remove his leg, will voluntarily crush the Lithuanian in the stomach. Result ? A logical and deserved expulsion for a gesture that has no place on a basketball court.
– The Warriors in great danger! For the first time since 2007, and therefore the Stephen Curry era, the Warriors are down 2-0 in a series. Back in San Francisco for Game 3, Stephen Curry’s teammates no longer have the right to make mistakes… Another stat: never has a team trailing 2-0 in a series become NBA champion. But that only confirms the struggles outside the Warriors this season.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Domantas Sabonis. The Kings again dominate in the points in the racket and Sabonis has a lot to do with it. He finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds at 8/12 shooting, and caused Green to be ejected.
✅ De’Aaron Fox. With 24 points, 9 assists and 4 steals, he confirmed his All-Star status, and it’s hard to do more “clutch” than him this season.
✅Andrew Wiggins. Back in the starting five, he was solid, and finished with 22 points.
✅ ⛔️Stephen Curry. Despite his 3/13 from 3-pointers, he finished as the game’s leading scorer with 28 points. His shot selection is questionable.
⛔️Jordan Poole. Not content to have been clumsy all evening (1/7), he didn’t weigh on the match at all. It’s worrying.
⛔️ Draymond Green. Before his expulsion, he had taken the lead with the adversaries, then his teammates, and finally the public. His expulsion is deserved.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 3 at the Warriors, on the night of Thursday to Friday (4:00 a.m.).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
